Ratchet screw-driver



(No Model.)

G. E. G & J. H. PARSONS.

RATG

SCREW DRIVER. No. 437,297. vPatented Sept. 30, 1890.

Q imam UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. GAY AND JOHN H. PARSONS, OF AUGUSTA, MAINE.

RATCH ET SCREW-DRIVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,297, dated September 30,1890.

Application filed December 9, 1887.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE E. GAY and JOHN H. PARSONS, citizens of the United States, residing at Augusta, in the county of Kennebec and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet Screw-Drivers, of which the following description and accompanying drawings are a specification.

Our invention relates to ratchet screw-drivers, and has for its object to simplify and improve their construction.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an exterior view of our improved screw-driver complete. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device complete. Fig. 3 is a top View of the end toothed wheel or ratchet E. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the same. Fig. 5 is a view of the pawl D complete, showing the beveled teeth d d, upper arm or projection which receives one end of the operating-spring a, and hole 0, by means ofwhich the pawl D is piv: oted on the pin a. Fig. 6 is aview of the stop against which the end of the toothed wheel or ratchet rests, and to which the spring that operates the pawl is attached. The arrangement of the parts in combination is as shown in Fig. 2.

A represents the handle, which may be of wood of any convenient form or style, secured to the case 0, which contains the ratchet mechanism.

B represents the blade, to which is secured the end toothed wheel or ratchetE, which has a longitudtnal opening to receive the blade, which may be angular, as in drawings, or of other convenient form.

C is a metallic case, tube, or ferrule having slots or openings 1), through which project the ends of the pawl D, and within which is contained the mechanism of the device.

D represents the pawl having teeth d d, which are beveled on one side and straight on the other, hung within and to the case 0 by the pin a, on which it tips or swings, engaging either end or tooth with the projections or teeth of the toothed wheel E.

H represents a stop inserted in the case 0 and held in position by the pin a, which receives the endwise thrust-of the blade and ratchet duringthe operation of the tool.

a is the pawl-sprin g, one end of which is se- Serial No. 261,691. (No model.)

cured to the stop H, the other end operating the pawl D.

a represents a spring intended to hold the toothed wheel E and blade B against the lower end of the stop H.

The operation of the device is as follows: The handle A and the case 0 being rigidly secured together, the pawl D having ends projecting through the case 0, also having the pin 0 passing through its center, it will be clearly seen that the handle, case, and pawl must all revolve together. If the pawl D be tipped or swung on the pin 0 by means of either of its projecting ends, it carries the point g of the pawl to one side of the center line, which causes the pawl-spring a to throw one end of the pawl D downward, as in Fig. 2, so as to engage the tooth d of the pawl with the teeth of the wheel E. It will be seen that as the teeth 61 d of the pawl have one side straight and the other side beveled a motion of the handle A in one direction will turn the blade B with it by means of the engagement of the straight side of the tooth cl of the pawl D with the projections or teeth of the wheel E. It will also be seen that a motion of the handle A in an opposite direction will cause the end of the pawl 0r tooth d to rise out of the teeth of the wheel E, on

account of the bevel on one side of the tooth d of the pawl D, thereby allowing the pawl to pass backward over the teeth of the wheel E in one direction without turning the blade. To reverse the motion of the blade, it is simply necessary to tip or swing the pawl D on its axis or pin 0 by means of either of its projecting ends, so as to bring the opposite tooth or end of the pawl into engagement with the teeth or projections of the wheel E.

We are aware that it is old to make use of a tipping or double-ended pawl hung ona pin passing through the shank of the blade, thereby weakening the blade. This arrangement causes the pawl and case to turn with -the blade, and as it is constantly changing its position in relation to the handle it is inconvenient to operate in reversing the action or in working the tool. Our invention overcomes this inconvenience by using a case and pawl secured to the handle and turning with it, so that as it is held in the hand to operate the tool the case and pawl are always in the same position relative to the handle, the case being practically a ferrule or part of the handle 011 which the fingers may rest. By placing the toothed wheel or ratchet on the blade beneath the pawl we obviate the weakening of the blade and are enabled to make a much stronger tool.

lVhat we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a ratchet screw-driver, the combination of a metallic tube or ferrule, one end of which is secured to a handle of wood or other suit able material, having slots on opposite sides, a pin which passes through the tube or forrule at right angles with the slots, a doubleend pawl which is hung or pivoted on the pin, said pawl having teeth at each end, which are beveled on one side and straight on the other, and also having an upper arm or projection to receive an operating-spring, and a stop inserted in said tube or ferrule, upon the lower end of which is received the thrust of the blade and to the upper end of which is attached an operating-spring, the operating spring consisting of two arms and so acting as to throw these arms apart from each other, with a blade having an end toothed wheel or ratchet secured to its upper end and rotating within the case, the teeth. of said wheel or ratchet engaging with the teeth of the double-end swinging pawl, all substantially as described and herein set forth.

GEORGE E. GAY. JOHN H. PARSONS.

Vitnesses:

E. II. GARDNER, J. A. GARDNER. 

